The Indiana Association of the Deaf estimates that over 400,000 people in Indiana are deaf or hard of hearing. Greg Inabnit, Beltone Bedford Hearing Care Practitioner has shared valuable information on how age factors into hearing loss and the connection between hearing loss and dementia. Below are some tips and advice for Bedford residents who suspect they may be experiencing hearing loss, as well as key warning signs to watch for.
What Indiana factors contribute to hearing loss (i.e. more rural areas, certain types of jobs or hobbies in Indiana)?
Farming, factory work, and hunting are big in Indiana—lots of loud equipment, machinery, and gunfire can take a toll on hearing over time. Many Hoosiers don’t realize how much noise exposure they’ve had until they start struggling to hear conversations.
How does age factor into the hearing loss equation?
The older we get, the more our ears have been through—like a car with high mileage, they just don’t work as well as they used to. Hearing loss happens gradually, so by the time someone notices, they may have been missing out for years.
How do you see dementia and cognitive decline linked to hearing loss in Bedford?
Untreated hearing loss forces the brain to work overtime, which can speed up cognitive decline—think of it like running a marathon while wearing earmuffs. Studies show that treating hearing loss with hearing aids can help reduce the risk of dementia, making a simple hearing screening an important step for long-term brain health.
Is there a certain age when someone should get their hearing checked even if they don’t suspect hearing loss, and why, if so?
Yes! By age 50, everyone should get a baseline test—catching issues early is easier than fixing them later. Even if someone doesn’t notice a problem, a screening can detect small changes before they impact daily life.
If someone in Bedford suspects they have hearing loss, is it OK to wait before getting it checked, and why either way?
Waiting makes it worse! The longer the brain goes without hearing certain sounds, the harder it is to get them back. A quick and painless hearing screening can confirm if there’s an issue and offer solutions before communication and quality of life suffer.
What are several warning signs of hearing loss?
Asking people to repeat themselves, cranking up the TV, struggling in noisy places, or thinking everyone is mumbling (spoiler: they’re not). If any of these sound familiar, it might be time to start paying closer attention to hearing health.
Why is awareness key for these issues, like World Hearing Day approaching?
Most people don’t realize how much hearing loss affects their health until it’s too late—awareness helps people take action before they miss out on life’s best sounds. World Hearing Day is a great reminder to check in on hearing health, because treating hearing loss can improve everything from conversations to brain function.
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